One of Volkswagen's most important vehicles is heading into its second-generation. VW recently unveiled the all-new 2027 Atlas, an SUV that's been the brand’s second‑best‑selling model for the past three years. VW says the seven-seat Atlas and five-seat Atlas Cross Sport vehicles comprised 30% of sales in 2025.
The new slightly longer Atlas arrives with sleeker, more premium looks inside and out, plus safety upgrades, a slight bump in power, and more standard equipment. The gas-only Atlas variant launches this fall, with a hybrid planned for its mid-cycle refresh.
Exterior design changes include double stacked LED headlights and a masked upper grille. Double lightlines and an illuminated VW badge are standard on all but the base trim. Illuminated door handles are available, as are puddle lamps with a unique projection pattern. The tail end sports a more pronounced spoiler and the tailgate lies flush with the rear bumper.
Credit: VW.
The redesign includes new aluminum-alloys in 20- and 21-inch diameter wheels for all but the base model which rides on 18-inch wheels. Three new hues, Blackberry, Sacramento Green, and Sandstone, join the color palette for 2027.
The Atlas also gains a bit more power. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder TSI® engine, producing 282 horsepower (+13) and 258 lb-ft of torque. VW also says the new engine is anticipated to provide better fuel economy than the previous model. Like the previous generation, an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard, and Volkswagen’s 4Motion® all-wheel-drive system is available across the lineup. Towing capacity remains at 5,000 pounds for models with a factory-installed trailer hitch, and payload is unchanged from the outgoing model.
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Credit: VW.
In the cabin you'll find more space on the center console, a revised 12-way ergonomic seat, revised door handles, high-quality soft-touch surfaces and real wood decor on every trim. Three interior color palettes are available—a pebble grey, black and dark grey, and an all-new deep wine. Leatherette remains standard on base models, while the top two trims receive Varenna leather and Nappa leather. Upper trims also add available four-way massage on both front seats.
Screens are large in the new Atlas. The base model is outfitted with a 12.9-inch display. But the big show is a free-standing 15-inch for the rest of the lineup. All models feature Volkswagen’s 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro configurable gauge cluster.
New for 2027, the Atlas adopts the Driver Experience Dial seen in other newly designed VW models. It controls audio volume, drive modes, and the "Atmospheres" lighting and audio feature. 10-color ambient lighting is available on the base model, with 30-colors for the other trims.
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Credit: VW.
New standard family-friendly features include a standard power liftgate, rear sunshades, auto-dimming driver-side mirror, dual hatch lights, and front and rear park distance control. The base Atlas upgrades to a 9-speaker audio system, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon® premium audio system is available on the top trim. A one-year trial subscription of Premium Speech, Volkswagen’s generative AI-enabled voice assistant. There are dual wireless phone charging ports and seven USB-C ports are available throughout the vehicle.
VW's also improved safety and driver assistance features. A new front center airbag brings the total airbags to seven. The new Atlas also features refinements to the standard suite of IQ.DRIVE® driver assistance technology with upgrades to Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Front and rear Park Distance Control is now standard across the lineup and the latest version of Park Assist Plus is added to the top trim.
Look for 2027 Atlas pricing closer to its fall launch.
